"Pokemon Go" has taken the world by storm, encouraging people who may otherwise lead sedentary lives to get some sun and actually move around to "catch 'em all." In fact, the game has been credited to have helped those with mental health issues to encourage them to go outside and connect with other players.
According to Dr. Dr. John Grohol, who founded the mental health network Psych Central, there are "unintentional but beneficial consequences of gaming and producing a game that encourages healthy exercise." Moreover, Yahoo! Tech reports that "Pokemon Go" users have taken to social media to share their thoughts on how it the game has helped them cope with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues. Moreover, it does encourage exercise, as gamers will have to scuttle about to find their Pokemon.
But "Pokemon Go" is not all just fun and games, as reports have surfaced that some have fallen victim to robbery after being lured with the game. Some have also experienced accidents while looking on their phones instead of paying attention to where they are going. In line with this, the New York City Police Department has issued some guidelines to keep safe while playing everyone's favorite game, including staying behind the yellow line on the subway and staying off one's phone while driving.
"As you battle, train, and capture your Pokémon just remember you’re still in the real world too! Around the country the PokémonGo craze has seen reports of accidents, injuries and even crimes where suspects have set-up fake ‘Pokéstops’," the NYPD wrote, as per Entertainment Weekly. Head over to their page to see the full list of safety tips, which include telling kids to be aware of "stranger-danger," and being aware of third party software apps on devices. Check out the full list here.